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Rating: I really didn't expect to see an empty space for "Manifesto" around here.
Roxy Music, ladies and gentlemen. A classic case of "either you love them, or you hate them."
Having reached high peaks of creativity with the release of "Siren" in 1975, Bryan Ferry and company take some time for themselves and for new solo musical adventures. They return in 1979 with this album, with a much longer gap between albums than usual (and it will remain that way).
During the years away from "Roxy's home," the music world underwent revolutionary changes, especially with the advent of Disco Music, which I want to focus on.
The sound of Roxy Music changes, and quite a bit, stylistically and qualitatively compared to previous works: Glam Rock is now almost entirely surpassed and comes into play, precisely, the Disco, an influence that is felt on this album, though added in bursts and with balance.
As was customary, they released the usual ten or so tracks, which, in hindsight, we can define as a bridge between the spirit of the five albums (from '72 to '75) and the later ones (early '80s). "Manifesto" can be considered an isolated case, experiments of redefining their sound that will nevertheless remain throughout their career of unshakable refinement and intense fragrance.
The artistic vein is not yet at its best after the return, but I still want to certify it as an excellent album.
I don't know much about discos, let alone those that existed in the late '70s, but we can compare it to an evening spent in one of them: the dance begins with the semi-instrumental title track, with a steady but groovy rhythm, which is the exact representation of entering the room, so you try to get accustomed, you haven't spoken to anyone yet and you start to loosen up slowly as the minutes pass.
When "Trash" arrives (you can already hear hints of Disco in the distance), you're already at the center of the dance floor, going wild on your own in the swarm of moving bodies, and you see her, a beautiful stranger ("Angel Eyes", where the influence is very noticeable) and you approach her.
There's a connection, you share the same desire for change, to let loose even just for one evening. The rhythms change and you dance together to a couple of songs, intimately ("Still Falls The Rain", "Dance Away").
The hours pass, everything is going well, and it doesn't seem real, but here comes the blow that shatters all the stories you've told yourself, the illusions: she tells you she had a beautiful evening but unfortunately has to get married the next day and was just trying to relieve that type of tension. She understands your disappointment, tries to apologize in vain, and thus exits the scene... "Spin Me Round" starts right on cue, as you sit in a corner of the bar and the dance floor gradually empties more and more.
Precisely with the concluding "Spin Me Round", to be defined as the absolute gem of "Manifesto," Roxy Music heralds the imminent almost ethereal sounds that we will have the pleasure to enjoy in the subsequent "Flesh + Blood" but especially in the masterpiece "Avalon".
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Manifesto (05:30)
(Ferry/Manzanera)
I am for a life around the corner
That takes you by surprise
That comes leaves all you need
And more besides
I am for a life and time by numbers
Blast in fast ´n´ low
Add ´em up, account for luck
You never know
I am into friendship and plain sailing
Through frenzied ports o´ call
O shake the hand to beat the band
With love is all
Or nothing to the man who wants tomorrow
There´s one in every town
A crazy guy, he'd rather die
Than be tied down
I am for the man who drives the hammer
To rock you 'til the grave
His power drill shocks
A million miles away
I am for the revolution´s coming
I don´t know where she´s been
For those who dare because it´s there
I know I´ve seen
Now and then I´ve suffered imperfection
I´ve studied marble flaws
And faces drawn pale and worn
By many tears
I am that I am from out of nowhere
to fight without a cause
Roots strain against the grain
With brute force you´d better
Hold out when you´re in doubt
Question what you see
And when you find an answer
Bring it home to me.
02 Trash (02:14)
(Ferry/Manzanera)
Are you customised or ready-made?
Heavy metal trick or treat?
Only seventeen
On the level trash is neat
Teenage fever oh you´ve got it bad
Caught the flavour want it all
Only seventeen
Bet you know the trash I mean
Row your features into magazines
Go to Plaza - where´s the trade?
Only seventeen
Slips are lower trash is in
03 Angel Eyes (03:07)
(Ferry/Mackay)
Angel eyes - am I deceived or did you sigh?
For all I know you let you love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes - you never close, who´s got the time?
I can wait until your love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes - seems to me you fill the skies
I´m far below so let your love light
Shine on me
Angel eyes - on the wing and open wide
No matter how high the moon
Shine down on me
04 Still Falls the Rain (04:14)
(Ferry/Manzanera)
Dear Hyde -
No more can I
Explain, I´ve tried
With words in vain
They pass you by
Like falling rain
From perfect skies
Still falls the rain
Inside
Hey brother don´t be square
Here it is not over there
I´m your man - I´ve got it made
You need my fire you need my shade
You´re here Hyde -
Once more inspire
This strangely tied
Uncertain frame
So torn inside
Still falls the rain
Two minds, one vein
Still falls the rain
Inside
Hey doctor don´t be scared
It´s you and me so where´s my share?
I´m the man just move aside
Call me mister call me Hyde
Hey lover don´t be shy
I´m a single minded guy
Better watch me - boy I´m rough
Half a man ain´t strong enough
Hey brother don´t be square
Here it is not over there
I´m your man - I´ve got it made
You feed my fire you need my shade
05 Stronger Through the Years (06:14)
(Ferry)
Through the undercover hour
Bad and bleak
To be brief - too much sorrow
And flesh is weak
No more feelings
No more tears
The river´s wide enough
Flowing stronger through the years
Silver lips - kisses borrowed
Glances steal
To quick - how they quiver
Too late they´re sealed
No more feelings
No more tears
The river´s wide enough
Flowing stronger through the years
09 Cry, Cry, Cry (02:56)
(Ferry)
Are you ready for bad blood?
I´ve got my share
I´m sick of them sweet sweet nothings
Oh! In my ear
Ain´t funny I´m the honey
All your money just can´t buy
So baby you can cry cry cry
Now the last laugh is mine
You ready for hot stuff?
Be prepared
I´m sick of your cheap cheap hustle
Oh! Don´t cha dare
Let us pray the lord have mercy
On your mercenary mind
´Cause even if you cry cry cry
Your heart out
I won´t be kind
Are you ready for good times?
Hard to bear!
You´re steppin´ on holy ground
Hold it there!
I´m fading out your hologram -
A phoney toothpaste smile
Remember when you cry cry cry
Your heart out
I did mine
10 Spin Me Round (05:13)
Now the ballroom's empty
Everybody I have known
Has been and gone
With the music over
Here am I
A shadow echoing on
Spin me round...
Now there must be something
In what they say of all things
Great and small
There's dozen roses
Lying almost dying
To say all
Spin me round...
A nether world dancing toy
I'm wired for sound
Does it matter to me
Who turns the key?
Now if life is for living
Then the way is clear
But I don't understand
Why the dream has ended
Yet I can't wake up
Lend a hand
Spin a round...
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